USMNT has its last training session before win-or-go-home clash against Iran

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USMNT train for last time for win-or-go home World Cup clash against Iran as Gregg Berhalter and his young squad look for first win in Qatar

The USMNT trained for the last time on Tuesday for its Group B decider against Iran, where the loser goes home and the winner advances to the knockout stage of the World Cup.

The Stars and Stripes will be desperate for a first win in Qatar after two straight draws, first against Wales (1-1) before keeping a clean sheet against old rivals England (0-0).

Faced with a barrage of politically charged questions from reporters on Monday, US head coach Gregg Berhalter described the game as his team’s “first knockout game” at the World Cup and was wary of the threat posed by Iran won 2–0 after their second half performance against Wales.

The US trained as a unit one last time before playing Iran in a win-or-go-home game on Tuesday

The US trained as a unit one last time before playing Iran in a win-or-go-home game on Tuesday

The team's attacking players were put to the test on the eve of the final match in Group B

The team’s attacking players were put to the test on the eve of the final match in Group B

American striker Jordan Morris looked cheerful as he and a member of the coaching staff gave a high five

American striker Jordan Morris looked cheerful as he and a member of the coaching staff gave a high five

Captain Tyler Adams, winger Christian Pulisic, No. 1 Matt Turner and right-back Sergino Dest were all fully focused during the team’s final training session on Monday from QSL club Al Gharafa SC’s training base.

As things stand, England lead Group B by four points, followed by Iran by three, the US by two and Wales by one.

“We know exactly what Iran is going to bring and we don’t want to make the same mistakes we did in the past,” US head coach Gregg Berhalter told reporters on Monday, referring to the 1998 World Cup game between the two sides, when Iran was 2-2. 1 won.

US coach Gregg Berhalter called Tuesday's game his team's

US coach Gregg Berhalter called Tuesday’s game his team’s “first knockout game.”

American striker Christian Pulisic took part in the team's final training session at Al Gharrafa SC

American striker Christian Pulisic took part in the team’s final training session at Al Gharrafa SC

USMNT starting goaltender Matt Turner hopes for another shutout on Tuesday

USMNT starting goaltender Matt Turner hopes for another shutout on Tuesday

‘We want to learn from that and be able to convert it into performance.’

The Star and Stripes are counting on their young legs to ensure a longer stay in Qatar as the team is the second youngest at the tournament with an average age of 25.2.

Ghana leads the ranking with an average age of 24.7 years. Iran, on the other hand, is the oldest team at the World Cup with an average age of 28.9.

American right back Sergino Dest participated in shooting practice on Monday while teammates watched

American right back Sergino Dest participated in shooting practice on Monday while teammates watched

Weston McKennie (left) and Brenden Aaronson (right) both hope to start against Iran

Weston McKennie (left) and Brenden Aaronson (right) both hope to start against Iran

Ahead of Tuesday’s game, Iranian coach Carlos Queiroz praised the growth in the US team, saying this World Cup showed “that they have jumped from football to football.”

He coached Major League Soccer’s MetroStars in 1996 and served as a USSF advisor in 1998, where he wrote a blueprint for player development to win a World Cup by 2010.

“When it was time to get dressed, there was a box in front of us, (Roberto) Donadoni and Tab Ramos, we have to jump on the boxes to choose the best socks and the best pants and the best shirt because everything was in one heap,” said Queiroz.

“I’m sure those Americans playing tomorrow don’t know about it.”